Breaking The Circle
Philip Ayckbourn
Genre: Comedic Drama
Cast size: 7
Duration: Two Act
By Philip Ayckbourn | Comedic Drama | Full-length | 4m, 3f
Short synopsis
- Synopsis
- Characters
Two couples, Tim and Linda and Neil and Hilary, come to holiday in Wiltshire at the house belonging to Tim’s Uncle Sammy. The cantankerous and reclusive Uncle Sammy lives nearby in a caravan with his dog Jip and intends to pass the property on to Tim.
Both couples however have brought their relationship difficulties with them. Linda suspects Tim of an affair with a work colleague and Hilary wants Neil to take legal action against an ex-business partner who has betrayed him. Neil has sunk into a debilitating depression and Hilary is hoping the holiday will be a chance for Neil to have a heart-to-heart with old school friend Tim.
Uncle Sammy has warned them about local youths and troublemakers who have done damage to the crops by making their ‘pretty patterns’ in the fields and is only half-joking when he talks about taking his gun to them if he ever catches them at it. His own son ran away from home in his early teens and was presumed drowned in the Bristol Channel.
When Linda sees the smoke from a fire at a nearby party she decides to go. Hilary soon follows. The next morning Kelly, a young traveller from the party arrives at the house. She strikes up a friendship with Tim and he takes her for a drive. Nad arrives, another young traveller also from the party, who engages with the reluctant Neil. When Linda and Hilary return dressed as two ‘earth goddesses’ they decide to play out the midsummer re-enactment of the battle between the Oak and Holly kings with Nad and Neil taking on the role of the kings.
The merriment is interrupted with the return of Tim and Kelly, but then resumes when Tim is invited to join in the drama. The drama culminates with Nad revealing his true identity and the real reason for him being there. Uncle Sammy is about to have an unpleasant surprise and Tim needs to make an uncomfortable confession.
A play with comedy and dark undertones.
Applying for and paying royalties
To apply for royalties, please complete the form on our apply for royalties page.
To pay for fixed fee royalties having received your Quotation from us, please go to this payment form.
More information
If you require any additional information regarding this script, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.
Frequently asked questions
Can we try before we buy?
Of course! All our plays and pantomimes have a free Preview Script available for download as an A4 pdf file that contains 60-75% of the full script. If you like what you read then you can buy an inexpensive e-script of the entire play (typically less than half the cost of a traditional printed script) which is licensed to you for your personal use. Purchasing a script copying licence allows you to make just enough copies to support rehearsals and performances.
All our musicals are included in our perusal service. Through this, representatives of producing organisations can request a USB Stick of perusal material which comprise the script/libretto and piano/vocal score as PDF files; a Cast (or Studio) Recording as MP3 files and (where available) an MP4 file video of either the premiere production or of a subsequent production.
Some titles have the facility to read the entire script online on our website.
Do we need a Licence To Perform?
The simple answer is, yes.
Under the international laws of copyright, you must be in possession of a valid, unexpired licence before performing any piece of theatre unless the owner or managers of the copyright has waived their rights.
Why do you insist on providing a formal royalties quotation?
When you request a quotation, it is logged in our system, it forms part of an orderly queue and protects your place in that queue should multiple licensing requests occur for the same show.
Need help?
Contact us
If you need help with our scripts, please contact our customer service team, we would be more than happy to help.
Established for over 25 years
Unearthing future talent
Stagescripts is a trusted licensing company run by theatre professionals with decades of experience on and off stage. Our curated catalogue includes over 1,000 carefully selected plays, musicals, and pantomimes — from fresh, undiscovered writing to well-loved classics.
We’re passionate about helping theatre-makers at every level discover scripts that inspire, challenge, and connect with audiences. Whether you're staging a village hall production or leading a professional company, our team offers expert advice, flexible support, and a responsive, personal service to help your next performance shine.
